We started our session by the thinking about the possibility of either continuing, developing or changing our movements. These three ideas were the core of our session. We then did a partner exercise, which was based around the idea of continuing, developing or changing the movements. With this in mind our partner watched us improvise and noted down which movements we frequently did and observed which category we did the most for example continue, develop or change. My partner Zoe noticed that I did lots of turns and spins and then did a lot of actions that incorporated the wrists. The second time doing this exercise was different, as Zoe had to shout change whenever she thought a movement was established. For me, I had more difficulty with this exercise, as it was hard to think of different kinds of movements as soon as Zoe said change.
This exercise required me to open-minded and to explore different types of movements that are out of my habitual range. I believe this relates to Deborah Hay quote ‘There’s only time to notice what’s happening now, and now, and now, and now, and now’ (Hay, cited in De spain, 2014, 70) I think this links in with the exercise because I only had time to think of what new movement I could do in a split second when Zoe shouted change. Which therefore makes me only concentrate on what movement I was doing then instead of planning my sequence of movements and having pre ideas already.
The third development of this exercise was when Zoe said change I had to not only change the type of movement but also the change my attention. For example where I was looking or where I was concentrating. I also found it interesting when observing Zoe as it was interesting to see any repetition or habitual movements within her improvised material.
In this weeks jam we explored different pathways whilst using different parts of the stage. The score was split into four sections, in section one we used upstage right, section two we used upstage left, section three we used all of down stage and then section four we used all of the stage. We were only allowed to do certain movements, which were walk, run, turn, fall, kneel and stand. I found sections one and two easier because we were only asked to change or continue these movements however, in section three and four, we were not only asked to continue and change the actions but to develop the actions as well. What I enjoyed about this score was we could dance in solo’s, duets, trio’s and quartets.
I liked dancing with other people and it made it more exciting because I began to forget about all the movements I was doing but instead trying to make relations to the other dancers and making different forms. I concentrated on which movements I could join in, with other dancers and then was interesting to see how we developed each others movements and fed off one another. This shows that I am not only thinking about myself when improvising but instead making decisions on what others are doing and then reacting to these movements and including myself or/and developing on the movements. ‘But otherwise I find myself doing things’ (Zaporah, cited in De spain, 2014, 71) I feel this quote is beginning to link in with my own movements. At the start of this course I felt like I was thinking to much about the movements when improvising. However after this jam I do feel like movements are coming to me more naturally and flow better, so I believe this quote relates to how I feel and therefore my confidence in this style is growing.